Serving as a Catalyst for Innovation and Improvement: SST Region 8 Supports District Capacity Building to Improve Learning for All Students
One of 16 state support teams (SSTs) comprising the foundation of Ohio's statewide system of support, SST region 8 supports approximately 35 school districts and 20 community schools in Medina, Portage, and Summit Counties, as well as career centers, county boards of developmental disabilities, and partner educational service centers (ESCs). The mission of SST 8 is to help educators develop efficient and effective systems and processes, and use research-based instructional practices in order to close achievement gaps and improve learning for all students, including students with disabilities and other marginalized groups of learners.
SST 8 is comprised of 15 staff members, 13 of which are working directly with districts. Dr. Jenine Sansosti, now in her fourth year as SST region 8 director, includes herself among the 13 consultants supporting districts to improve learning and outcomes for all children. The work of the consultants is organized around topic-based teams (e.g., special education team, school improvement team, etc.) aligned with specific areas of the state-developed performance agreement, which delineates the services to be provided by all SSTs.